Grand Canyon National Park Closure Proves Controversial In Gateway Town of Tusayan

Published: Thursday, April 2, 2020 - 2:28pm
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Grand Canyon National Park officially closed April 1 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus among workers and visitors. The federal government’s decision to close the park came after park staff, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and the president of the Navajo Nation urged the National Park Service to act.

Officials pointed out that while the park is certainly grand, visitors had continued to congregate on popular trails and viewpoints, thus violating CDC guidance to keep a safe distance from others.

Like business closures throughout the state, this will certainly have an impact on the surrounding communities that rely on the park and the tourists it attracts. The town of Tusayan is one of those communities.

The Show spoke to Tusayan Town Manager Cynthia Seelhammer about what effect this would have on the town.

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